Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor.  "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another.  Labor Day is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."  Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.  It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well being of our country.  Enjoy the long holiday weekend!

The Army National Guard has a small amount of end of the year Technician funding to be used for the "Student Loan Repayment Plan."  This money is used for debts still owed to institutions.  It is available this year only.  All interested Army Technicians should contact MSgt Kathy McCready at 609-562-0854 no later than 10 September 2003.  Technician Personnel Regulation No. 537 is published and to be used to answer any questions you have.

Administrative Order No. 2003-01 provides eligible National Guard and Reserve members with automatic extension of drivers license, registration, and inspection expiration dates in accordance with the Governor's Executive Order #54.  This order was signed by Governor James E. McGreevey on 1 April 2003 to ease the burdens on those military personnel mobilized in the current conflict.  Eligible members include those "active duty National Guard personnel and Reservists serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the war on terrorism," including Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom.  The Administrative Order and explanatory cover letter can be found on the Motor Vehicle Commission's website at www.njmvc.gov.  Any questions or concerns concerning these procedures should be directed to the Motor Vehicle Commission call center toll free from New Jersey at 888-486-3339 or 609-292-6500 from outside New Jersey (toll free).

The 3^rd Battalion 112^th Field Artillery completed a successful Annual Training period 9-23 August 2003 at Fort Dix, NJ.  Training highlights for the battalion included a successful external evaluation by the 1^st Army Training Support Brigade, live fire of over 2,000 155 mm artillery rounds, and support of the 1/101^st Regional Training Institute Artillery School from Massachusetts.

Space A (available) or MAC flight, is provided by the Air Mobility Command (AMC) for active duty, reserve, retired, and their family members, and DOD employees.  The military aircraft used at McGuire are the C-141B, KC-135E, and KC-10A.  Space A passengers have to consider that they travel only after all of the cargo has been accommodated.  AMC has sic categories to assign sitting priorities for different passengers:

Category 1 - Civilian or military dependent and emergency leave

Category 2 - Environmental Morale Leave (EML)

Category 3 - Active duty on ordinary leave/house hunting

Category 4 - Unaccompanied dependents

Category 5 - Permissive TDY or TAD/student travel

Category 6 - Retired military, Reserve, National Guard

Today is the 241^st  day of 2003.  There are 124 days left in the year.  On this date:

®      In 1553, the last Incan King of Peru, Atahualpa, was murdered on orders from Spanish conqueror, Francisco Pizzarro .                                                                               

®      In 1944, 15,000 American troops marched down the Champs Elysees in Paris as the French capital continued to celebrate its liberation from the Nazis.

®      In 1965, Gemini 5, carrying astronauts Gordon Cooper and Charles (Pete) Conrad, splashed down in the Atlantic after eight days in space.

®      1993, Israel was on the verge of recognizing the Palestine Liberation Organization during peace negotiations.

The Department of Defense Tricare Management Activity has initiated a new program to better serve expectant mothers who receive care in military treatment facilities (MTFs).  The new family-centered care initiative offers standardized services to expectant mothers and their families.  These services include the first obstetric (OB) visit, birth, and follow-up pediatric care.  This standardized benefit ensures that the military provide superior care as part of the military system's ability to assist family members whose sponsors are deployed.  The Tricare website has a section devoted to the family-centered care initiative: www.tricare.osd.mil/familycare/default.cfm. 

For more information about any of these events, please call the NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation office at (732) 335-0033.

J   The first country to use postcards was Austria.

J   The only one-syllable state is Maine.

J   The mouth of the Statue of Liberty is three feet wide.

J   Atlantic salmon are capable of leaping 15 feet high.

J   For every human being in the world there is approximately one chicken.